Pictured are members of the non-profit organization Hands for Haiti: Philip Charles (left), of New Vineyard; Matt Lenfestey and three-year-old son, Reggie, adopted in June from Haiti; and Jamie Charles of New Vineyard. The Charleses hold photographs of children from schools and churches sponsored by members of their organization. (Laura Dunham photo) NEW VINEYARD — As earthquake survivors desperately wait for food and medical services in Haiti, a New Vineyardbased nonprofit organization is doing its part to bring aid to the country.

Philip Charles, president, and Jamie Charles, secretary, of the Hands for Haiti organization have partnered with several churches and schools in North East Haiti.

“Our organization administers child sponsorship programs with the churches that have schools and also gets involved in other projects. It’s important that the people here in our country understand it’s not just the earthquake itself that’s having an impact on the people of Haiti there are many areas of Haiti that were not even damaged including where ‘Hands for Haiti’ is working,” said Charles. Most everything, however, comes into the country through Port au Prince which was affected by the earthquake. Additionally, many people are still coping with Hurricane Jeanne and Tropical Storm Noel.

“All aid will be directed to the disaster area at Port au Prince all the other places like the area we sponsor will be last to see any or little support,” said Charles.

There’s got to be a way to raise monies to help the dayto day operations throughout the area, said Charles and that’s why the couple is asking people in our area to send donations to: Hands for Haiti, P.O. Box 62, New Vineyard, Maine 04956; and then the schools can reopen.

The monies collected will go toward food for the school children, said Charles. They have a trip planned to Haiti on March 10 with a team from across the United States traveling by train.

“We finally got through to one of our schools after three days and were so pleased to hear there was no damage. I spoke with Marie Noel whose husband is the pastor of L’Eglise Baptiste de Terrier Rouge Church. Noel said the airport in Northern Haiti (Cap- Haitian) is the second largest airport in Haiti and is in operation,” Charles said.

Philip and Jamie have been going to Haiti for the past eight years. Vice president of the organization is Matt Lenfestey of Winthrop who was at the Charles’s home this past week with his three-year-old son, Reggie, who he adopted from Haiti in June.

Haiti is about the size of Maryland with about two million people in Port au Prince where the earthquake took place, said Charles.